Minerva was home. The Crystal Empire. She stared out the window of the room she shared with Ivy and Hoodwink. It felt good to be home. Even though only two weeks or so had past, it had been a long two weeks. Lovesick ghosts. Perverse plot paddling books in a library. And a flood of actual schoolwork. Papers. Books to read. Lectures from other teachers, teachers not alicorns, but just teachers teaching the mundane sorts of things that students had to learn.
There was knock on the door. Three fillies turned their head as the door opened, revealing a grey unicorn guard. He said nothing, but beckoned with his hoof.
Time to go. Class awaited. They had arrived late yesterday evening and it was a bright new day.
They trotted down the hall, Brimstone in tow, with all four foals trying to view the Crystal Spire where they were staying. It was an immense structure, which had grown even larger as of late. It was made of living crystal, and the power of the Crystal Heart had filled it full of life. It was somewhat difficult to live in a growing changing structure, but that was life in the Crystal Empire.
Minerva had been to these rooms before. She was in a place she recognised, close to Cadance’s private quarters that she shared with Shining Armor.
The guard stopped at the door. He pointed with his hoof.
The foals entered.
And saw Cadance reclining on a large cushion. She gazed at them intently. Her face stern and serious, but also gentle.
Minerva recognised the look as the climbed on top of a large cushion and settled in.
Her fellow students did the same.
“Greetings.” Cadance said in a warm welcoming voice. “I am so pleased to have you all here. While Luna has been teaching you practical matters, I hope to teach you something that I hope you will find useful as well. I will be instructing you in diplomacy. Social interaction. How to serve other ponies. Social graces. Do you understand?”
Four heads nodded yes.
Cadance beamed.
“Before we begin, are there any questions?” Cadance asked, looking hopeful. “Questions allow us all to learn. I want there to always be questions.”
Brimstone sat up slightly and raised a hoof.
“Brimstone?” Cadance replied.
Brimstone cleared his throat and looked thoughtful for a moment. In his most cultured voice he asked: “Cadance, I was reading a book about all of your accomplishments and the things you have done in your life. In the book, there are many accomplishments listed, but specifically you stated that your greatest achievement was acting as a foal sitter. Would you care to explain?”
Cadance lost her composure for a moment, looking at Brimstone in awe, eyes wide.
She cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
“That is a very good question Brimstone. I had a very different lesson planned this day, but it seems that the lesson must be changed. I do believe an answer to your question would be far more instructive.” Cadance said, radiating grace and charm. Cadance was a pony that could think on her hooves.
Ivy struggled to settle on her cushion. Her body was too long, her cushion too small. Hoodwink shoved an extra cushion over to her while Cadance considered her words.
“Being a foal sitter is where I learned diplomacy. It is where I learned to be a good pony. It is where I learned to make other ponies want to do what I said. It was also where I developed much of my philosophy in life.” Cadance paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. “I had many epiphanies during my time as a foal sitter.” Cadance shifted on her cushion. “I also learned to compromise, a very important lesson that many ponies struggle to learn, because we all want what we want and we do not like it when we do not get our way.”
Cadance cleared her throat softly.
“Being a foal sitter is probably the most important task that anypony can take on.”
“But why is that?” Ivy asked, daring to speak up.
Cadance looked thoughtful. “A foal sitter is somepony special. It is usually the first near adult or adult a foal interacts with that is not a full authority figure, like a parent or a teacher. A foal sitter is more of an older responsible friend. Or should be. The foal sitter is in a unique position. They are the first adult or near adult relationship in a foal’s life that isn’t a relationship based on authority, but one of trust. What the foal sitter does shapes all of the future relationships a foal will have as an adult. A foal sitter determines if adults can be trusted. If adults are worth having as friends. If adults can be anything other than adults. And can shape a foal’s developing worldview. The foal sitter has an immense social responsibility that they must be accountable for. They gently bring foals into the mature relationships of adulthood and teach them social ritual.”
Four foals stared blankly in unison.
Cadance realised she might be over their heads.
“What if I had abused Twilight?” She said, gently, hoping to explain. “What if I had abused her trust? What if I was short with her? What if I did nothing but make demands as her foal sitter, never listening to her needs, or taking time to listen to what she might have wanted, and only expressed my desires on what to do during our time together? What if I never gave her a moment to offer her opinion and took time to listen to what she had to say?”
Minerva’s muzzle scrunched, her brow furrowing in deep thought.
Ivy squirmed, wishing she was rightside up for this sort of thinking. Sitting on the cushion wasn’t cutting it, she needed to be hanging somewhere for this kind of deep thought.
Hoodwink looked baffled.
Brimstone looked blank.
“What if I had never given Twilight an opportunity to interact at an adult level, never giving her a chance to learn what it takes to be a good pony, and she had grown up and followed my terrible example?” Cadance inquired.
Brimstone’s mind suddenly snapped into gear. His mouth hung open, and it was clear to any observer that he was having an epiphany.
Ivy scratched an antler.
Minerva and Hoodwink exchanged a glance.
“Twilight Sparkle may have never become a princess if Cadance was a bad foal sitter.” Brimstone mumbled. “What we do really does affect others.”
“Very good Brimstone.” Cadance praised. “The foal sitter is usually the example that most young ponies try to model some of their future social behaviours after, as they rebel against their parents, trying to develop their own personalities and find their place in the world.”
The realisation of Cadance’s words hit Ivy like a slap in the face as they finally sunk in. Her foal sitters had frequently been the Elements of Harmony, and, much of the time, Applejack. Her brain buzzed with the realisation.
“I’ve never had a foal sitter.” Hoodwink said, looking sad. “Will I turn out badly?” She asked, real fear creeping into her voice.
“No.” Cadance said gently. “You are still young and much can change. Take heart little one, the world still has much in store for you.”
Hoodwink took a deep breath and held it in for a moment, and then let it out in a huff.
Ivy abandoned her cushion, slittering forward, climbing onto Hoodwink’s cushion, and then onto Hoodwink. She flopped around her, coiling up.
“Ow Ivy!” Get off!” Hoodwink protested.
“Climbing Ivy, may I ask, what are you doing?” Cadance questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Foal sitting.” Ivy said, trying to settle in as Hoodwink cried out in protest.
Cadance let out a small giggle inspite of herself. She had been warned about something called “Ivy Logic” and Ivy’s practical approach to taking in new concepts.
“Ivy, foal sitting doesn’t mean you actually sit on foals.” Cadance said, trying to hold back a smile.
“Applejack sat on me a few times.” Ivy protested, finally coiling around Hoodwink. She wasn’t at all comfortable, but it was clearly a sacrifice that a foal sitter had to make.
Brimstone chuckled and tried to compose himself.
“Applejack said I was a wiggleworm. And I had to learn how to hold still.” Ivy said, trying to explain.
“I’m squished.” Hoodwink protested.
“I had to learn how to get Twilight Sparkle to do as I asked, which was a very difficult thing to do for me.” Cadance said, continuing the lesson as Ivy settled in. “I was somewhat impatient when I was younger. Twilight Sparkle tested my patience. She was stubborn and wanted to do her own things. She frequently wanted to know why she had to do something when asked to do something. She tested her limits with me. I had to learn when to explain why, and when to ask her to trust me. But the important thing is, I took time to explain why on many occasions. And Twilight trusted me because I did so. I was the first adult to really sit down and explain why, rather than just expecting obedience when I asked something or required something to be done. Twilight told me this one night. And things were different between us after that moment. Twilight knew that I would explain why if I could, if not right away, then later, when it was more appropriate.”
Cadance paused, resting her voice.
“I get frustrated when adults won’t tell me why.” Minerva said. “How am I supposed to learn anything if somepony won't tell me? And then adults complain that I’m a silly foal and I don’t know anything, and it is all their fault because they don’t tell me anything.” She said bitterly.
Cadance sighed.
“I have to be careful if I ask why to my mother.” Brimstone offered. “Depending on her mood, she may become slightly annoyed with me, or, she may decide to tell me why with a very instructive lesson, which usually includes some kind of homework and research project. I have to weigh if asking why is worth the risk.”
“If I ask my daddy why, he usually tells me some silly fable and then leaves me alone to figure it out. He checks on me later to see what I’ve learned.” Ivy replied. “My mother sometimes will explain things.”
“Twilight Sparkle was a very curious little filly and she wanted logical explanations as to why she couldn’t do something or why the answer was no. She wasn’t content with a simple no, and would become very angry and frustrated, much more so than a normal filly her age. Twilight was much more intelligent than most fillies her age, and her mind was far more adult, trapped in the body of a foal. She spent a lot of time frustrated and feeling isolated. Adults treated her as a foal and it infuriated her. She was content not to do something if told no, she just wanted the reasons why things were the way they were. If she had a satisfactory answer, she let the issue drop. Eventually, Twilight trusted me enough to know that I had good reasons if I said no.” Cadance said.
Cadance took a deep breath and continued. “Getting Twilight to try new things was always a challenge. Getting her to step out of her comfort zone caused her a lot of anxiety and fear. It was a constant problem for her. The adults in her life usually just drug her along, kicking and screaming, and, even though they were as gentle and encouraging as possible, it caused Twilight a lot of suffering, and made her angry. It left her bitter and lacking trust. She was constantly being thrust into new situations and it left her frightened and unsure. I had to figure out how to coax Twilight along and make her want to try new things, and take on new situations. After some trial and error, and a lot of trust building, I would make deals with her, that if she did what was requested, we would spend an afternoon doing something that she loved, even if it was something I didn’t particularly care for.” Cadance paused. “We spent a lot of time in the Royal Stamp Museum.”
Hoodwink scratched her head with a hoof and looked at Cadance. “I’m thinking that this has made you a better princess, and that it has made Twilight a better princess as well.” She commented, squirming under Ivy.
“Yes.” Cadance said. “When I am dealing with a group of ponies that are being very difficult, I always try to find some way to approach them as though I was their foalsitter. I try to deal with them as gently and fairly as possible, wanting and hoping for them to trust in me as their leader.”
“I’m guessing that you don’t actually treat them as foals.” Brimstone said.
Cadance paused, considering her answer. “Sometimes.” She said, being brutally honest. “To be completely honest, sometimes, it is exactly what they want and all other approaches fail. They behave foalishly, and I deal with them accordingly. And sometimes this is the only way. It always leaves me a little sad.”
“I’m not used to adults being honest.” Minerva said in a hushed whisper, cringing with faint worry. “Usually they say one thing and do another, or tell you not to do something and then turn around and do it themselves.”
“Minerva?” Cadance said, causing Minerva to drop her eyes to the floor.
“Minerva, look at me.” Cadance requested.
Minerva looked up, guilty.
“Do not be ashamed of what you just said and do not worry. Adults do make a lot of mistakes. We are not perfect, no matter what other adults might tell you. We do make mistakes. We do bad things. We have faults. Sometimes, we do not engage in fair behaviour, and we can become very hurtful and destructive to those around us, especially foals. I made mistakes with Twilight. I had to learn how to swallow my pride and apologise, and work to regain her trust. Something a lot of adults are not comfortable with doing. Twilight and I became very close because I was willing to admit when I had made a mistake. And eventually, in time, when I made a mistake, she waited for me to apologise, knowing that one was due, and continued to trust in me even though she might be angry at the moment.” Cadance smiled.
“This is the essence of what love is. Treating each other fairly.” Cadance said warmly. “It is a very broad concept, but I am confident that I will be able to teach it to you all in time, if you are patient with me, trust in me, and forgive my mistakes should I make one.”
“Your version of love sounds too complicated!” Ivy exclaimed.
“How so?” Cadance asked.
“Too many words.” Ivy answered.
“Love is a very difficult concept and I am positive that the Princess of Love can explain her element, given enough time.” Brimstone stated.
“Doubtful.” Said Ivy. “Words get muddled up. Some words have too many meanings and you have to spend too much time trying to figure out what a word means when it is said to you. You take one little word wrong and suddenly everything somepony said hurts.”
“Do you have a better explanation Ivy?” Cadance asked.
Ivy began to uncoil from around Hoodwink, causing Hoodwink to gasp with relief. She slithered from the pillow, down onto the floor, tensed her body, and then pounced.
Cadance discovered what a full contact body check Ivy hug felt like. It was warm, had a lot of limbs, a coiling tail, and a long sinuous body that could contort to fit almost any contour. Ivy could also squeeze like a boa constrictor.
It was also filled with a lot of enthusiastic love.
“Words complicate things sometimes.” Ivy said, wrapping herself around Cadance. “Sometimes it is better to just do. I don’t hafta explain what I am doing right now. It simply is. No mistakes. No double meaning. A hug is a hug.”
Cadance struggled for air, like most ponies did during an Ivy hug. While pleasant, Ivy didn’t relent from her affection. Her affection was almost predatory, Cadance realised.
“Ivy, I think that when you are older, you will understand that sometimes, a hug isn’t just a hug, and a kiss isn’t always a kiss. When you become an adult, new concepts will confuse these things, blur the lines on what you think you know.” Cadance explained in gentle tones.
Ivy paused, looking genuinely sad. “Really?” She asked, her lip quivering. “This gets complicated too?”
“Yes Ivy. It does.”
Ivy paused, looking wounded. “I don’t want to grow up then.” She stated flatly. “This is the only thing that makes sense in my life.”
Cadance patiently allowed Ivy to keep hugging her, trying to console the foal on the verge of tears. She realised that a distraction was in order.
“Ivy, every foal has to grow up sometime.” Cadance said gently, her mind quickly trying to find a way to transition into something else.
“Spike hasn’t grown up. He’s still very small and young.” Ivy protested.
“Spike is a dragon. He is going to spend a hundred years or more in childhood.” Cadance said.
“I’m part dragon.” Ivy said.
“Yes you are Ivy, but I would hazard a guess that biologically speaking, you are probably older than Spike right now.” Cadance stated.
It was the wrong thing to say. Ivy wilted, going limp.
Cadance felt her throat tighten with emotion. This was not going as planned.
“Growing up isn’t so bad.” Cadance said gently. “You get to find purpose. You get to do explore your potential. You get to discover new things and make your way in the world. Has anypony thought about what they will do when they grow up? Or something they would like to try? There is no sense into rushing into what you have to do as an adult, but it doesn’t hurt to think about it, or to dream.”
“I plan to defend Equestria.” Brimstone stated, with no trace of doubt in his tone. “I will take up armor and protect what I believe is right. I will be one of the many who hold the line so other ponies can live in peace and safety. I will sacrifice my self so that others might live a better life.”
“That is very noble Brimstone.” Cadance said.
“I’m willing to offer my pound of flesh.” Brimstone stated.
Cadance looked puzzled, but no explanation seemed forthcoming.
“I’m probably going to be a Silvermane.” Minerva stated. “That’s a full time job. Not sure if I want to do it, but that is probably what will happen.”
“Then do something else.” Hoodwink offered.
“Like what?” Minerva asked. “Being a Silvermane is all I know.”
Hoodwink shrugged. “Become a foal sitter?” She offered.
Minerva paused, looking thoughtful, her muzzle scrunching as she reflected upon Hoodwink’s words. Her mouth opened a few times, as though she was going to say something, but each time she fell silent. Her ears drooped.
“Nopony in my family has ever been anything but a Silvermane. I can’t imagine leaving. We are what we are. We do what we do. We are weirdos and crackpots. I can’t imagine anypony wanting me as a foal sitter because I’m a Silvermane. No sane pony wants anything to do with us. Probably because of Sombra Silvermane. Whatever he did must have been really awful, because nopony likes us.” Minerva kicked out a hind leg, trying to become comfortable on her cushion. “And I have this name and ponies will probably always treat me as a Silvermane.”
“Well those ponies can get stuffed.” Hoodwink said with an angry grunt. “They’re stupid. And mean.”
“Hoodwink, what would you like to do?” Cadance said, trying to distract the foal from her angry outburst.
“I plan to become Great and Powerful. I’m going to have close friends that I can trust to watch my back… And well, I don’t know about the rest of my plan just yet. But I’m getting the friends I’ll need for later.”
Cadance smiled, her eyes merry.
“Ivy?”
“Yes Cadance?” Ivy replied dejectedly, still clinging to Cadance.
“Have you given any thought about what you might like to do when you grow up?” Cadance said, trying to coax the depressed foal into a better mood.
“Keep things simple, like Applejack says to do.” Ivy replied. “Real simple. Leave the complicated stuff alone.”
“That sounds like a really good idea Ivy,” Cadance agreed, “but what would you like to do as an adult? You have exceptional magic. Would you like to farm, like Applejack? Being a farmer is a noble and worthy goal in life. We all need to eat,”
Ivy paused thoughtfully. “No,” she stated, “I have other plans. Applejack asked me to do her a favour and I’m probably going to spend the rest of my life doing that.”
“Applejack asked you to do a favour that requires your entire life to do?” Cadance said, her composure breaking, suddenly very confused. “And you plan to comply? Applejack must be very special to you.”
“She’s my aunt.” Ivy said, as though that explained everything. “And I can do other jobs while I do what Applejack asked me to do. I’ve been thinking about guarding ponies, like Brimstone wants to do. I found out I’m made of sterner stuff when I was in the library getting my backside paddled by those stupid books. Better me than my friends.” Ivy paused to think about the pain she had endured.
“Ivy dear,” Cadance said, her voice dripping with curiousity, “What is it that Applejack asked you to do, exactly, and why would it take a lifetime?”
“I’m going to heal the Everfree forest using my magic. Applejack says that the land is sad. She knows, she’s an earth pony, and earth ponies and I have a lot in common. The plants are all sick and it makes the land sad. The ground needs healing, but it can’t heal until the plants get better. And I am going to fix that. If I can heal the plants, the land can stop being sad, and Applejack can stop feeling the ground cry out in pain. It makes Applejack sad.”
“You are going to heal the Everfree?” Cadance asked, her voice trailing off in surprise.